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Entering a new year let us have the understanding that the New Year is not a petition of previous years, because in Christ the old has gone and the new ones will come.

But let us start the New Year with the understanding that every year God will reveal even greater glory. Therefore, every New Year should begin with a heart that has a renewed commitment to be righteous even more to love, serve and rely on God. The Word of God in Joel 2:32 says: “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved: for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance.” The Word of God in 1 Peter 3:12, that God’s eyes fixed on the righteous and His ears to hear shouted prayers of the righteous and rely on the help of God.

God does not promise a smooth journey of life, but He promised that He will always be with us in all circumstances and at all times He will never leave us alone even in accordance with God’s promise after the Lord Jesus ascended, God the Father send the other Personal of God, the Helper and Comforter, the Holy Spirit to be with us and be with us forever.

TODAY’S WORD: 1 Peter 3:12, NKJV

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

TODAY’S VERSE TO REMEMBER:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

TODAY’S ACTION:

Start the New Year by walking with the Lord.

TODAY’S QUOTE:

Facing the New Year word of God says: Do not be afraid and trembling heart but believe it, because you will see and experience even greater glory.

The meaning of the word agreement in English language is: An arrangement between parties regarding a course of action. This word has the meaning of an agreement made between two parties who bind themselves on each other and have a cause-effect correlation, which in any case must be respected by both parties who enter into an agreement. If any party fails to honor the agreement then it will give rise to legal effects as a result.

Similarly, an agreement made by God and bound to a man is a conditional and binding agreement of love, if we who accept the agreement undertake the stipulated terms then the Lord’s blessings will follow us wherever we go. God promises with an agreement of love that those who perform God’s provision then the lists of the blessings in Deuteronomy 28:1-14 will follow us.

TODAY’S WORD: Matthew 14:22-33, NKJV

Blessings on Obedience

28 “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God:

3 “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.

4 “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.

5 “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

6 “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

7 “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.

8 “The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

9 “The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways. 10 Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you. 11 And the Lord will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you. 12 The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. 13 And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. 14 So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

TODAY’S VERSE TO REMEMBER:

“My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, any my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants – from this time on and forever.” says the Lord.” (Isaiah 59:21)

TODAY’S ACTION:

Read again the book of Deuteronomy 28:1-14, have faith in what you read, you will receive.

What happened before Peter was able to walk on water? The answer is focus.

For where and to whom Peter focused his mind, that was what enabled him to perform extraordinary case.

Focus had made Peter know the Lord Jesus Christ as God is not a ghost, earlier than the other disciples. Focus had made Peter to focus on his face to Jesus Christ as a sign that he put trust completely in the Lord Jesus. Focus had made Peter never find hope in vain. Peter’s focus had made a decision to step out of the boat and also the focus had made Peter was able to walk on water.

Meditating God’s word is an important step of faith for our lives because by meditating God’s word more deeply can make us understand a lot of things and make us wiser than the others. Meditating the word also can train us to think again and again before we speak or do so through any of what we do will glorify the Father in heaven.

If we combine the decision to focus on God by meditating on God’s word day and night, we will receive the power as Peter gained which is to do the impossible matters. In fact, because the Holy Spirit has belonged to us when we can do great and miraculous matters.

TODAY’S WORD: Matthew 14:22-33, NKJV

Jesus Walks on the Sea

22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

TODAY’S VERSE TO REMEMBER:

“So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.” (Matthew 14:29)

TODAY’S ACTION:

If we look at the calm water in the pond water, it is possible in our view that the water is only as a tool for recreation and fun. But if the water flowed continuously with focusing, the same water can also perforate stones can and be even used for power generation. Likewise, if our faith is focused on the Lord Jesus as the source of life and power, nothing is impossible that we cannot do.

TODAY’S QUOTE:

Focus and meditate on the Word of God when combined will produce miracles and miraculous matters as part of our lives.

People the world say that a well-established life begins when we are 40-years old. But if we do not get anything at that age we might begin to worry, worry and start counting time even beginning to think finding shortcuts to quickly gain prosperity and what the purpose of life goals.

God’s word today teaches that our lives and all kinds of its needs are in the hands and in God’s care. Told in the parable is that God has set up and provides a blessing for all of us who work and serve the Lord. To all people wherever they are, God has given the same time 24 hours, no more and no less. There are people who laboriously worked from morning till night, worked hard, wiring sweet but do not know let alone believe in God. There are people who work by wisdom, using time and opportunity efficiently and optimally and especially they fear of God. But those who work with smart receiving the same or even greater amount than the people who work hard and wiring sweat.

Maybe among us who are already over the age of 40 years but have yet to get what is desired, the Lord says: Do not worry, because the blessings provided by God has been set the time and amount for each of us. Do not force the will of man and set God’s time according to our time for God’s word says that actually your ways is not My ways. Therefore, if we can learn to respect the God’s decision and believe that our lives are entirely in the providence of God, even though you’ve entered the age of 40 years, never hesitate because God can transform the situation as turning the palm of the hand.

TODAY’S WORD: Matthew 20:1-16, NKJV

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard

20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’

8 “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ 13 But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”

We all already know by faith through prayer that we will be able to ask for anything and with faith, we also believe that God will hear our prayers. The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:12, that of all given or allowed to man is not all useful, meaning God is distinguishing the meaning of a need and desire.

Today God wants to teach through the story of the mother of John and James, the mother wished her two children getting a high position in heaven later, the one on the right and the one on the left. But Jesus knew that it was only a wish and not be necessary therefore the Lord Jesus said, “Mother, you do not know what you ask, about the position in the kingdom of heaven is already determined by my Father in heaven. Know that in heaven, the high will be humbled, and the law will be exalted.”

In our prayer we too are very often like that in prayer we ask a lot of desires, so much so that we pray only in the flesh, the lust and do not have an opportunity to express love to worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Do not be surprised if God then said: “My child, you do not know what you ask.” Perhaps some of us who say, isn’t the word of the Lord says in the Gospel of John 15:7, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” These verses a though contradictory, indeed God will answer all our prayers and requests if God lives in us and we abide in Him, but if the word abides in us that word will guide and direct us in asking so that we be able to avoid things that are not desired by God.

TODAY’S WORD: Matthew 20:20-28, MKJV

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s children came to Him with her sons, worshiping and desiring a certain thing from Him. 21 And He said to her, what do you desire? She said to Him, Grant that these my two sons may sit in Your kingdom, the one on Your right hand and the other on the left. 22 But Jesus answered and said, you do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They said to Him, we are able. 23 And He said to them, you shall indeed drink of My cup and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but to those for whom it has been prepared by My Father. 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant concerning the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them and said, You know that the rulers of the nations exercise dominion over them, and they who are great exercise authority over them. 26 However, it shall not be so among you. But whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be chief among you, let him be your servant; 28 even as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

TODAY’S VERSE TO REMEMBER:

“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3)

TODAY’S ACTION:

Praying in the name of Jesus Christ will give us the ability to pray in the Spirit and in truth that will lead us and present it to God the Father.

TODAY’S QUOTE:

God will not answer prayer raised with the motive that just to fulfil and satisfy the desires of the flesh lusts.

When fear strikes, most people would immediately run away. He will run as far as possible in order to avoid confronting issue or the person to be feared. But unfortunately, the fear is haunting wherever he goes that make his life is not calm so he has to move places or even change the face repeatedly.

Indeed, fear do not a lie to other people, objects, or at atmosphere outside of man, but fear that arise from the human heart. Satan is expert using fear/anxiety as a tool for him to destroy the soul and spirit of man. The Bible says that in fact, we are not given a spirit of fear but given the Holy Spirit who gives the power (2 Timothy 1:7).

When we allowed by the Lord to get big problems and issues that we have never dealt, God’s word teaches us to make a decision not to fear but to deal it with God because the fear is there to be defeated, is not to be avoided. If we do not take the decision to defeat the fear then our lives will be dominated by fear to terrorize our life morning, noon and night. For God has given us the power to defeat him.

TODAY’S WORD: Isaiah 41:10-13, MKJV

10 Do not fear; for I am with you; be not dismayed; for I am your God. I will make you strong; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness. 11 Behold, all those who were angered against you shall be ashamed and confounded; they shall be as nothing. And those who fight with you shall perish. 12 You shall seek them, and shall not find them; men warring against you shall be as nothing, and as ceasing. 13 For I, Jehovah your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, do not fear; I will help you.

TODAY’S VERSE TO REMEMBER:

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

TODAY’S ACTION:

Trust and do not be afraid.

TODAY’S QUOTE:

God will give His love to guide and help on time even though it was as though there was no way.

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19). There is something interesting about this verse which is written about the birth of Christ, that it is remarkable joyful and salvation news for people who are waiting for Him. Through the angel Gabriel, God gives a clear impression of the birth, ministry, death and resurrection of Christ as the Redeemer of man. A mother who gave birth to the child of the Holy Spirit, raising, saw with her own eyes the events of torture gone too far, His death is “cursed” on the cross, of course, not all mothers would be able to bear it. Mary is the chosen mother.

For Mary, after hearing this message from the angel Gabriel, perhaps she felt that her life would experience the life she never imagines before, she will be the mother of the Messiah! But she knew for sure that God is much more familiar with her. She was very grateful that her life had the honor of God to be used as His instrument, as she said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” This is a total surrender of life to God. Mary did not regret what she had to experience that God had set for her, instead she kept it all to herself.

Today we want to learn from the heart of Mary, a woman who was strong, bearing not small duty in psychology and feelings of a mother to see what would happen to her child born from her womb. Mary had a sensitive heart to hear, loyal and ready to be used to perform a task that is not small in God’s salvation work. God needs people who are sensitive to hear and faithfully perform like Mary to perform His task.

TODAY’S WORD: Luke 1:26-38, MKJV

Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”

38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

TODAY’S VERSE TO REMEMBER:

“Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38)

TODAY’S ACTION:

Serving is a privilege from God, learn faithful to God’s call on your life, although many processes you have to pass, because it is provided the crowning glory for the faithful.

TODAY’S QUOTE:

If we choose to be an instrument of His glory, never hesitate, for He is certainly anointing, equipping and giving gifts of the crowning glory on earth and in heaven.